Vancouver-based Arts Umbrella, one of the most renowned arts education organizations for young people in Canada, is partnering with Toronto-based TakingITGlobal in the delivery of an acclaimed program called Connected North which provides participating schools with access to engaging and innovative virtual content. 

Arts Umbrella launches pilot program that brings leading-edge arts education to children and youth in remote Canadian communities

This new partnership will provide schools in remote Canadian communities with access to high-quality arts education, engaging some of Canada’s most under-served children and youth in visual arts and performing arts workshops and performances.

This month’s guest post is contributed by Adria Hussain, School Programs Manager with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”)

It’s no secret. The next generation will inherit this earth and its complicated set of ecological challenges. Now, more than ever, we need to think about the tools that we’re also passing on to that generation.

How can we equip our kids with skills to be the ecological leaders our communities need? At Stanley Park Ecology Society we believe a love for the natural world, and the ability to have a positive impact on it, is a great place from which to start building this toolbox. Our goal is to empower kids to be change makers through fun, experiential learning.

This year our spring break Eco Camp features a new theme, “EcoLeaders’ Adventures.” The week-long camp is designed to empower campers to take action through conservation and citizen science. Children will be given the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and team work as they become park stewards.

One of the activities campers will undertake is a pond dip in Beaver Lake. Using nets and bowls to catch squirmy creatures, campers will identify aquatic invertebrates and amphibians. While it’s fascinating and fun to find dragonfly nymphs and tadpoles, this activity also serves a conservation purpose. 

The species the campers identify will be recorded and submitted to a longstanding database used by biologists to monitor the ecological health of the lake.  Through this citizen science project, campers will have a direct contribution to ongoing biodiversity research in the Park.   

“Animal Detectives”, our other daycamp, runs from March 18^th– 22^nd and gives campers a chance to sharpen their observation skills to solve mysteries about the animals that live in the Park. By examining habitat needs of wildlife through hands-on exploration, children gain an appreciation for the interconnected nature of our ecosystems.

These two unique outdoor camps are a chance for kids to connect to nature and be a real part of conservation and stewardship, inspiring and empowering them to make a positive difference for our natural world.

Camps run Monday to Friday, March 18^th – 29^th with aftercare available. For more information please contact [email protected], call (604) 257-6907, or check out our website »

Related: 5 Spring Break Day Camps in Metro Vancouver

Follow the Stanley Park Ecology Society on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more information.

Since 2013, I have been a member of SPES and have published “SPES Saturday” guest posts from the society on Miss604.com. Thanks to the SPES volunteers who contribute these stories monthly.

Tourism Coquitlam has launched VisitCoquitlam.ca, a central resource for residents and visitors featuring rich images, engaging local content and tons of ideas for great places to eat, stay, and play in Coquitlam.

They’re celebrating the launch of this platform with a social media contest.

How to Enter to Win

Visit Coquitlam on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, comment with your favourite place to find fun in Coquitlam, and tag a friend. You’ll be entered to win prizes for local activities, shopping or dining from a different local business each week.

One prize awarded each Friday until March 15th. Must be 16 or over to enter. One random winner chosen each Friday, and winners will be notified on the platform on which they entered.

Weekly Prizes

To kick off the competition, the first prize this week is from Climb Base5 Coquitlam. Get out and get active at Metro Vancouver’s largest climbing gym with four x 2 hour guided climb times. Prize will be awarded February 22, 2019. Check them out at Climb Base5 Coquitlam

Need inspiration for fun in Coquitlam? Here are some of my favourite (and most popular) Tourism Coquitlam posts from the last year: Photos from Lights at Lafarge in Coquitlam; 7 Ways to Embrace the Rain in Coquitlam; Quintessential Korean: 9 Restaurants in Coquitlam You’ve Got to Try; Hiking and Fishing in Coquitlam; 10 Must-Try Coquitlam Dessert Spots.

And most importantly for this weekend: Family Day Fun Runs All Month in Coquitlam. Get out and enjoy Coquitlam, and be sure to tell @VisitCoquitlam about it for your chance to win!

Monster Jam, the most action-packed motorsports experience for families in the world, returns to tear through British Columbia with a new level of high-flying, four-wheel excitement, featuring another weekend of larger-than-life events with high-octane racing and freestyle stunts.

Monster Jam at the Pacific Coliseum

• Where: Pacific Coliseum at the PNE (2901 E Hastings St, Vancouver)
• When: Friday, March 8, 2019 at 7:00pm
  Saturday, March 9, 2019 at 1:00pm and 7:00pm
  Sunday, March 10, 2019 at 1:00pm
• Tickets: Starting at $18 each. Pit Passes available to purchase for $15 each Tickets are now available to purchase online or charge by phone at (604) 252-3700.

This year’s exciting truck lineup features Monster Jam super-truck icon Grave Digger (driven by 2018 Triple Threat Series East Champion Tyler Menninga) and World Finals Champion and Canada’s own Northern Nightmare (driven by BC-native Cam McQueen returning to Vancouver to compete for the first time since 2015) plus highlighted by two Vancouver debut truck appearances including EarthShaker and Jekyll & Hyde.

Monster Jam drivers are trained, world-class male and female athletes who have mastered, not only the physical strength and mental stamina needed to compete, but the vital dexterity to control 12,000-pound machines capable of doing backflips, vertical two-wheel skills and racing at speeds up to 70 miles per hour to produce jaw-dropping, live motor sports action seen around the world. Now across all Monster Jam events, fans in every city will have the chance to vote for the winner in the two-wheel and freestyle competitions by real-time, in-stadium fan voting on their smartphones.

In addition to the world-class racing and freestyle competition action, fans can come to the stadium early to enjoy the Monster Jam Pit Party pre-show experience – which gives fans unparalleled access to view their
favourite trucks up-close and meet the star drivers for autographs & photos.

Win Tickets

I have a 4-pack of tickets to give away to Monster Jam on Friday, March 8th. Here’s how you can enter to win:

• Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
• Click below to post an entry on Twitter

I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Thursday, February 21, 2019. Follow Monster Jam on Facebook and Twitter.

UPDATE: The winner is Elizabeth!

Coastal Jazz & Blues Society is thrilled to announce one of the headliners for the 34^th annual TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival, The Roots! They will perform at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Friday, June 28 at 8:00pm.

The Roots Headline Vancouver’s Jazz Festival

Legendary GRAMMY award-winning crew The Roots are one of the best-known and most respected hip-hop acts in the business. Prolific and progressive, they were named one of the greatest live bands around by Rolling Stone and serve as the official house band on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Forsaking usual hip-hop protocol, they are endlessly creative, whether with their own material or through numerous collaborations. The Roots Picnic, a yearly star-studded mix of musicians, has become a celebrated institution, and most recently, they are working on animated live-action and animated children’s series in partnership with Amazon. They’ve gone platinum, they’ve gone gold, and they bring the house down every time.

Tickets for The Roots

Pre-sale tickets for Festival donors will be available from February 19 to 21 at 10:00am, and tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, February 22 at 10:00am online. Ticket prices start at $79.

The TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival will take place June 21 to July 1, 2019 and will be held in multiple locations across Vancouver. With 1,800 artists, 300 performances, 35 venues, and 150+ free shows – this annual event is not to be missed. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest updates.